17 Daily Affirmations for Managers

While Peter Economy has spent the better part of two decades of his life slugging it out mano a mano in the management trenches, he is also the best-selling author of Managing for Dummies, The Management Bible, Leading Through Uncertainty, and more than 75 other books, with total sales in excess of two million copies. He has also served as associate editor for Leader to Leader for more than 10 years, where he has worked on projects with the likes of Jim Collins, Frances Hesselbein, Marshall Goldsmith, and many other top management and leadership thinkers. Sign up here to always stay up to date with Peter's latest Inc.com columns, and visit him anytime at petereconomy.com.

Whether your company is large or small, being a manager is a tough job. Not only are you responsible for your own performance, but you are also responsible for the performance of your employees and of your organization. These responsibilities can weigh heavily on the shoulders of even the most experienced managers, company owners, and executives. It’s easy to get lost in the details and to forget to look at the big picture.

To help you get above the fray, I have collected the following 17 daily affirmations for managers. They may seem simple, and they are, but they're also very powerful. Give them a try! At the beginning of each day, jot one down in your planner or write it on a sticky note and put it where you’ll see it on your desk or wall. During your workday, from time to time, just think about it.

1. Managing is a people job. Put people first.

2. Managing is what you do with people, not to people.

3. The energy your employees bring to their jobs will be directly proportional to the energy you bring to the job. Be an energy manager!

4. The best performance starts with clear goals.

5. If it’s to be, it begins with me.

6. You gain power when you share power with your people.

7. Walk your talk by backing up your words with actions. People believe what they see more than what they hear.

8. The best business is common sense.

9. The simple approach is often the best approach.

10. Always ask: What do your customers value, and how do you know that they value it?

12. The more challenges you face, the closer you are to your goal-;don’t give up!

13. Don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s all small stuff).

14. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

15. Remember: It’s not personal, it’s business.

16. Make work fun-;it’s good for you, your employees, your customers, and the bottom line.

17. If you don’t like the way things are today, be patient. Everything will change tomorrow.

Perhaps you can add a few of your own affirmations to this list. No matter how much pressure you’re under, or how tough a day you’ve had, always remember to take the time to step back from the grind and look at the good stuff. Spend time with friends and family. Set aside a few weeks each year for a real, get-out-of-town vacation where you'll be outside of the reach of your mobile phone, your e-mail, and your Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Get out of the office at lunch, walk to a local park, and let your mind wander. Not only will you be reenergized, but so will those around you.

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